detector

[ dih-tek-ter ]

noun

1. a person or thing that detects.
2. a device for detecting smoke, fire, or some other hazardous condition.
3. a device for detecting the presence of metal, contraband, or other items that might be hidden or concealed.
4. Telecommunications.
   1. a device for detecting electric oscillations or waves.
   2. a device, as a crystal detector or a vacuum tube, that rectifies the alternating current in a radio receiver.

detector

/ dɪˈtɛktə /

noun

1. a person or thing that detects
2. any mechanical sensing device
3. electronics a device used in the detection of radio signals

Word History and Origins

Origin of detector¹

1535–45; < Late Latin dētēctor revealer, equivalent to Latin dēteg ( ere ) to uncover, reveal ( detect ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Employees in the DEA’s polygraph unit, which vets prospective agents, reported being pressured to pass candidates after they failed a lie detector test, report says.

From Los Angeles Times

In his search to learn about folklore in the BBC series Charlie Cooper's Myth Country, the star went to community events to talk about Black Shuck sightings, joined a metal detector group looking for ancient relics and even made his own crop circle.

From BBC

Some hunters remained sceptical, fearing that the cache might have been discovered with a metal detector.

From BBC

If the detector fails to properly identify the artificial nature of the candidate’s digital paperwork, an AI messenger will send a “personalized” message to that candidate, with potential follow-up communication already written if there isn’t a response within a certain amount of time – although there most certainly will be, as job-hunting AIs will always answer at what they have determined to be the optimal moment.

From Salon

Without a word, he whisked me past a serpentine of travelers and straight to the metal detector.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• radar